We’re here for advice, and support, and for you to report a hate crime as a third-party reporting centre.
Hate crime and safety advice
What is a hate crime?
Hate crimes are any crimes that are targeted towards a person because of hostility or prejudice toward that person’s:
- Race or ethnicity
- Disability
- Religion or belief
- Sexual orientation
- Transgender identity
Hate Crimes can be committed against a person or property. The police are concerned about all incidents and work with partners to become third-party reporting centres where people can report any hate incident or crime.
Examples of hate crime
Examples of a hate crime include:
- Financial abuse – taking someone’s money
- Damage to property, including offensive graffiti or setting fires
- Verbal abuse – name calling and insults
- Intimidation and threats, including false allegations
- Bullying and harassment and making fun
- Moving in and taking over someone’s home
- Abusive mail, texts, emails, letters or social media posts
- Physical attack, hitting, pushing, kicking or spitting
Disability hate crime
Disability hate crime is defined as:
‘Any criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a person’s disability or perceived disability.’
Reporting a hate crime
If you feel somebody has treated you badly or hurt you in some way because you look different, sound different, have specialised equipment, have a carer or need extra support, you may have experienced disability hate crime. It is important that you report incidents that make you upset to get the support you need and ensure it doesn’t happen again.
How to report a hate crime
Expand the selections below to learn more about how to report a hate crime.
Online
You can report a hate crime using the online form at https://report-it.org.uk.
By phone
Phone 101 or 999 in an emergency.
By SMS or app
Text ‘register’ to 999 for emergency SMS text or download 999BSL app.
Contact a third-party reporting centre
Contact a third-party reporting centre (such as Disability Equality NW) or tell someone you trust.
DENW is an accredited third-party reporting centre, which means we have the skills and experience to assist you through the reporting process.
If you do not wish to report the crime directly to the police yourself. We will explain all the reporting options available to you, so you are in control of the choices you make. We can also refer you to Lancashire Victim Services, so if you need to cope with emotional stress and we have lots of opportunities for you to make new friends and develop new skills.
Video
In this short video, we provide an overview of how you can report a hate crime to Disability Equality NW as a third-party reporting centre.
Under-reported crimes
Hate crimes can affect victims and the people around them. Disability hate crime is one of the most under-reported.
Help people to report it!
Support for victims
Victims can get support from the police, victim services and third-party reporting centres who have stickers in the window.
Further advice
Further advice, including what you should do if you witness a hate crime can be found at:
What is a third party reporting centre?
DENW is a third party reporting centre, which means we have the expertise and skills to assist disabled people to report hate crime to the Police and/or access the support services they may need.
We know that reporting a crime to the Police can sometimes be a difficult thing to do and we can offer you an additional level of support to report the incident. DENW is a disabled peoples organisation, which means we have a good understanding of different impairment types. We provide a safe space where you can express yourself and know you have been listened to.
We can assure you all information will be kept confidential. We will listen to your report without judgement and make sure you are in control of the process. Your safety and well-being are the most important thing and we will work with you to protect you from further harm.
Workshops on disability hate crime
As part of DENW’s commitment to tackling hate crime, we offer disability hate crime workshops to other charities, frontline staff, and the wider community. You can also attend as an individual. It is a great way to learn more about how to identify disability hate crimes, how to report them, and access the support you (or someone you know) may need. We have a training room available at DENW, or we can come to your organisation to deliver the workshop.
If you want to find out more about the workshops or would like to book a session, please contact us.
Useful resources
Workshops on disability hate crime
Learn more about our disability hate crime workshops to other charities, frontline staff, and the wider community
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The Safety First project
Recognising that personal safety can be compromised for disabled people.
Events, workshops & training
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